There are many reasons you might consider having your teeth whitened, but they all boil down to one simple thing – you want a whiter smile. But should you go to the dentist’s office, or buy a kit and do it yourself at home? At-home teeth whitening can be effective, when done properly; but most of the time, you will be happier with your results if you have themprofessionally whitened.
Teeth Whitening At Home
Most ‘do-it-yourself’ or DIY whitening kits work in one of two ways. A non-bleaching kit contains abrasives that work to remove surface stains from the enamel of your teeth, but won’t be effective if your teeth are discoloured internally. Bleaching kits contain a bleaching agent, usually hydrogen peroxide, that can improve the colour of your teeth with regular use over time. You may be a good candidate for home teeth whitening if:
- You see a dentist regularly and have no cavities
- Your discolouration is not caused by tooth decay
- You aren’t currently taking any medications
- Your discolouration is mild to moderate
- You don’t have sensitive teeth.
Dentist-Supervised Whitening
Even if you meet all of the above conditions for at-home teeth whitening, you could still experience tooth sensitivity, gum pain, or other problems if you use too much whitener or for no apparent reason at all. When you work with a dentist, the chances that something will go wrong are slim – and if you do have problems, your dentist will be able to help you figure out what to do about them. Depending on the whitening method you and your dentist choose, you may even still be able to do the whitening at home after your initial visit.
Sometimes an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit can be the perfect solution. Most of the time, however, it is both safer and more effective to work with your dentist to achieve the bright, white smile that you deserve. Contact Morrin Dental to schedule your first appointment today.